Everton sign Arsenal midfielder Christian Nørgaard in £7m deal

Everton have signed Arsenal midfielder Christian Nørgaard for about £7m, with the Denmark international agreeing a two-year contract at Goodison Park.

The 32-year-old joined Arsenal from Brentford last summer for £15m but has now moved on after falling out of favour with the Premier League champions.

Nørgaard made 20 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season, although only seven of those came in the Premier League. Arsenal won the top-flight title for the first time in 22 years.

He was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their recent friendly against Real Betis, further indicating that he was no longer part of the club’s plans.

Speaking after completing his move to Everton, Nørgaard said: “I was very excited about the project after speaking with David Moyes.”

He added: “Joining Everton has made that feeling even greater. I can see that the club is moving in the right direction.”

Nørgaard continued: “What the team achieved last season proves that. They have an excellent group of players and it was difficult to play against them.”

The midfielder spent six years with Brentford before joining Arsenal, making 196 appearances for the club and serving as captain.

His arrival is part of Moyes’ efforts to add experienced players to his squad after the departure of several prominent members of the Everton team.

Everton have also signed Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and Tyrique George from Chelsea during the current summer transfer window.

Nørgaard’s move gives Moyes another experienced option in midfield as Everton prepare for the new Premier League campaign. The club’s opening league fixture is against Crystal Palace on 22 August.

The transfer brings to an end Nørgaard’s only season at Arsenal. Despite being involved across a range of competitions, his limited Premier League opportunities and recent absence from the squad paved the way for a return to a more central role at Everton.

At Brentford, Nørgaard established himself as a key figure over six seasons and was trusted with the captaincy. Everton will hope that experience can strengthen a squad being reshaped under Moyes following the loss of several senior players.

The club’s summer recruitment has so far included players from Middlesbrough and Chelsea, with Nørgaard now providing further experience ahead of the opening league match at home to Crystal Palace.